ESHER & WALTON MP Ian Taylor has given his backing to the fight to save the last remaining NHS beds at Thames Ditton Hospital.

But the boss of East Elmbridge and Mid Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT), who holds the purse strings to the hospital, has defended terminating the contract with the private company that runs the NHS beds.

Just days after Mr Taylor’s visit to the hospital, Alan Kennedy, PCT chief executive, explained that he was fighting for value for money and increased flexibility in the healthcare area.

Mr Taylor’s visit to the hospital on Friday came as a boost to the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital, who have been lobbying for support after the PCT announced it was terminating a contract that was pivotal to the future of four NHS beds.

After his visit to the Giggs Hill Green site, Mr Taylor told the News & Mail: “I’m going to work with the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital to stir up the debate concerning the NHS beds and, hopefully, get some support for the group.

“I do not understand the PCT’s problem with regard to competitive costs for the NHS beds. What they are doing is really damaging the health service for the community of Thames Ditton and the surrounding areas.”

Mr Taylor made a rallying cry to all those people concerned about the future of the hospital to attend an open meeting in Thames Ditton on Tuesday evening (July 1).

It will be held in the Vera Fletcher Hall and will be the official start of the campaign aimed at securing the hospital’s future.

Mr Kennedy said that Emberbrook was a key part of the PCT’s plans for healthcare in East Elmbridge and that the hunt was on to find another company to take on the contract.

He added that Emberbrook had been earmarked as centre catering for elderly and infirm patients while the two other community hospitals in the borough — Cobham and Molesey — would serve other medical needs.

“There is a particular need to provide more nursing home placements for elderly and infirm patients as well as those suffering with mental illnesses,” he said.

“Emberbrook would offer the additional opportunity to provide these places.”

Mr Taylor added that he was working closely with the chairman of the friends, Karen Randolph.

“We will try to stir this up with ministers because the official government line is that they are in favour of community hospitals,” he said.

“There are serious bed blocking problems at acute hospitals, such as Kingston, where surgical beds are being occupied by patients who no longer require them.

“Thames Ditton Hospital can provide that all-important intermediate respite care, which would free up some of the acute beds.”

Earlier this month the PCT confirmed it was terminating its deal with private company Bettercare, which runs the 42 bed nursing home on the site as well as the four NHS beds.

The move means that Bettercare’s involvement with the NHS beds will go along with the contract, leaving the beds empty once the termination comes into effect in a year.